Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

anew

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading He had taken an early train from New York, and all the way to Moritzville had sought with natural eagerness for sight of his future schoolmates.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading He had taken an early train from New York, and all the way to Moritzville had sought with natural eagerness for sight of his future schoolmates.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading Kenneth Garwood had been booked for Hilltop in the autumn, but circumstances had interfered with the family's plans.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Kenneth Garwood had been booked for Hilltop in the autumn, but circumstances had interfered with the family's plans.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

blowing in violent and abrupt bursts

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

reserved in advance

From this reading Kenneth Garwood had been booked for Hilltop in the autumn, but circumstances had interfered with the family's plans.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Kenneth Garwood had been booked for Hilltop in the autumn, but circumstances had interfered with the family's plans.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading Kenneth Garwood had been booked for Hilltop in the autumn, but circumstances had interfered with the family's plans.

the largest city in Ohio; located in northeastern Ohio on Lake Erie; a major Great Lakes port

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

teach and supervise (someone); act as a trainer or coach (to), as in sports

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

comparative of “cold” — having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

the time at which something is supposed to begin

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

a New England state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something

From this reading He had taken an early train from New York, and all the way to Moritzville had sought with natural eagerness for sight of his future schoolmates.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading He had taken an early train from New York, and all the way to Moritzville had sought with natural eagerness for sight of his future schoolmates.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

possessive form of “family” — a social unit living together

From this reading Kenneth Garwood had been booked for Hilltop in the autumn, but circumstances had interfered with the family's plans.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Kenneth Garwood had been booked for Hilltop in the autumn, but circumstances had interfered with the family's plans.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had taken an early train from New York, and all the way to Moritzville had sought with natural eagerness for sight of his future schoolmates.

yet to be or coming

From this reading He had taken an early train from New York, and all the way to Moritzville had sought with natural eagerness for sight of his future schoolmates.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Kenneth Garwood had been booked for Hilltop in the autumn, but circumstances had interfered with the family's plans.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Kenneth Garwood had been booked for Hilltop in the autumn, but circumstances had interfered with the family's plans.

plural of “hang” — a special way of doing something

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

made warm or hot (“het” is a dialectal variant of “heated”)

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

the peak of a hill

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Kenneth Garwood had been booked for Hilltop in the autumn, but circumstances had interfered with the family's plans.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

past form of “interfere” — come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle

From this reading Kenneth Garwood had been booked for Hilltop in the autumn, but circumstances had interfered with the family's plans.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

past form of “journey” — undertake a journey or trip

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

and nothing more

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Kenneth Garwood had been booked for Hilltop in the autumn, but circumstances had interfered with the family's plans.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading He had taken an early train from New York, and all the way to Moritzville had sought with natural eagerness for sight of his future schoolmates.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

being five more than ninety

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

being six more than ninety

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished

From this reading Kenneth Garwood had been booked for Hilltop in the autumn, but circumstances had interfered with the family's plans.

(“ill” is often used as a combining form) in a poor or improper or unsatisfactory manner; not well

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

existing or coming before

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

an educational institution

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

plural of “schoolmate” — an acquaintance that you go to school with

From this reading He had taken an early train from New York, and all the way to Moritzville had sought with natural eagerness for sight of his future schoolmates.

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading He had taken an early train from New York, and all the way to Moritzville had sought with natural eagerness for sight of his future schoolmates.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

that is looked for

From this reading He had taken an early train from New York, and all the way to Moritzville had sought with natural eagerness for sight of his future schoolmates.

plural of “student” — a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading He had taken an early train from New York, and all the way to Moritzville had sought with natural eagerness for sight of his future schoolmates.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

a word or expression used for some particular thing

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

by that means or because of that

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

in a tight or constricted manner

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

create by training and teaching

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

not successful; having failed or having an unfavorable outcome

From this reading But he had been unsuccessful.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

precisely as stated

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He had taken an early train from New York, and all the way to Moritzville had sought with natural eagerness for sight of his future schoolmates.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Hilltop School closed its fall term with just ninety-five students; it opened again two weeks later, on the third of January, with ninety-six; and thereby hangs this tale.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading Instead he journeyed to Moritzville on the afternoon of the day preceding the commencement of the new term, a very cold and blustery January afternoon, during much of which he sat curled tightly into a corner of his seat in the poorly heated day coach, which was the best the train afforded, and wondered why the Connecticut Valley was so much colder than Cleveland, Ohio.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading He had taken an early train from New York, and all the way to Moritzville had sought with natural eagerness for sight of his future schoolmates.